World Moms Blog founder, Jennifer Burden, with her baby at the Social Good Summit in NYC September 2011.
Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?
I live in New Jersey, USA. I was born and raised here, and I returned after many years of living in the DC metro area to be closer to family.
What language(s) do you speak?
I speak English fluently. I studied French in high school and Japanese at university. Lack of confidence weighs into my foreign language speaking ability.
I know this is true because if I’m out and have had an alcoholic drink or two, I can speak so much better. My Japanese is very rusty, and I’m better at French…but, I still have a long way to go!
I hope to speak at least one second language well one day!
When did you first become a mother?
On my 31st birthday in 2007. I share my birthday with my older daughter — we were both born on our due dates!
Are you a stay-at-home mom or do you work?
I’m a stay-at-home mom. And I run World Moms Blog full-time while my children are sleeping. 😉 (It’s actually midnight right now while I am rereading this.) But, thankfully, I have a lot of great help. I couldn’t do it without all of the hard-working World Moms Blog Editors who volunteer their time!
Why do you blog/write?
Writing used to be to help me get through the pain of so many miscarriages, and the uncertainty of going through fertility treatments when I started writing. Then it became for raising awareness for women going through infertility among their friends and family and to support women who were going through similar struggles to me.
Now I blog less for me and more for positive differences that mothers can make in the world. I feel like I have unfinished business. I’ve always felt like that. I want to do more to help people. And I’m no longer alone in those thoughts. I’m one of a fascinating international group of World Moms who want to do good in the world.
How would you say that you are different from other mothers?
I answered this once before in a prior Saturday Layover Post. It included this video of me and my youngest daughter, and it’s kind of silly. I think it shows how I try to see the world from other people’s perspectives.
What do you view as the challenges of raising a child in today’s world?
I want my daughters to grow up and feel brave about making their own decisions and choices, and not to worry about pleasing me, their dad or anyone else. I will always support them.
I’ve seen so many people in life give up on what really makes them tick and what they are passionate about because they feel like they should be doing something else. I feel like the world is missing out on them. Granted, there are roadblocks at times — financial, family obligations, etc.
I also think it’s important for children to grow up creating their own ideas of what success means to them and what makes them happy in life, and then they can create their own personalized journeys.
That being said, these ideas can be possible in my culture, and I respect and accept other cultures that appreciate doing things differently. I like to hear other mothers’ thoughts on what they want for their children around the world, even when those views differ from mine.
How did you find World Moms Blog?
Well, that was the problem. I couldn’t find World Moms Blog, so I wound up creating it. I wanted to go to one place to read about how mothers around the world were doing things. What I didn’t realize is how important the community around the blog would mean to so many others, and how the mothers I write alongside, The World Moms, would make such a difference in my life.
What do you like most about World Moms Blog?
The love. Do you see how mothers are coming together and supporting each other despite their cultural, religious and geographical differences through World Moms Blog? Do you see how we’re learning more about people who are different from ourselves and finding a common ground in motherhood? Do you see how the World Moms are united around wanting to do social good in the world through World Moms Blog together?
It’s the kind of place that just makes you feel good being a part of it. And, we’re just getting started.
Do you have any questions for Jennifer? Want to know more about World Moms Blog? Just ask!
This is an original post to World Moms Blog by our founder, Jennifer Burden. She can be found on e-mail at worldmomsblog@gmail.com and on Twitter @WorldMomsBlog.
Photo credit to Steve Burden.
Jennifer Burden
Jennifer Burden is the Founder and CEO of World Moms Network, an award winning website on global motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. World Moms Network writes from over 30 countries, has over 70 contributors and was listed by Forbes as one of the “Best 100 Websites for Women”, named a “must read” by The New York Times, and was recommended by The Times of India. She was also invited to Uganda to view UNICEF’s family health programs with Shot@Life and was previously named a “Global Influencer Fellow” and “Social Media Fellow” by the UN Foundation. Jennifer was invited to the White House twice, including as a nominated "Changemaker" for the State of the World Women Summit. She also participated in the One Campaign’s first AYA Summit on the topic of women and girl empowerment and organized and spoke on an international panel at the World Bank in Washington, DC on the importance of a universal education for all girls. Her writing has been featured by Baby Center, Huffington Post, ONE.org, the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life, and The Gates Foundation’s “Impatient Optimists.” She is currently a candidate in Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in the Executive Masters of Public Affairs program, where she hopes to further her study of global policies affecting women and girls. Jennifer can be found on Twitter @JenniferBurden.
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Your children have an amazing role-model. They will be proud of all that you do. What a wonderful gift to not only give them, but so many others. I thank you for allowing me to be part of such a fantastic group. A heart-felt hug being sent your way!
Thanks so much. You are too sweet to right that. I’m so glad that you are happy to be a part of our World Moms community! We are lucky to have you!
Jen 🙂
Great post Jen! I think it is awesome what you are doing while having two young children. This blog has really grown and it feels like a big family. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be a part of it!
I’m so psyched that women like yourself want to be a part of it! I think you’re great. 🙂 I’m excited about all the fun, new stuff that we’ve been discussing!
Jen 🙂
You are one inspiring woman, Jen! This is a great interview that gives insights to what a great woman you are. I love how you said “I also think it’s important for children to grow up creating their own ideas of what success means to them and what makes them happy in life, and then they can create their own personalized journeys.” that is just beautiful and so true. Thank you for creating this place – you and your team here has given such a great place for so many women out there. 🙂
Thank you, Tatter Scoops! I’m so glad that I’m getting to know you better, too. You are a brave woman within your culture, and I enjoy reading about your life in Indonesia!
I want to help my daughters find out what motivates them the most, and I hope to encourage them to follow their dreams!
Jen 🙂
Jen, you’re an inspiration to your children, to the WMB writers and women in general. Truly.
Alison, I’m really enjoying the fact that we’ve been getting to work together so much lately. Thanks for taking on your new role as contributing editor!! You are helping make our blog even better — I’m so thankful to all of the editing team!
It is nice to know that when I’m up at crazy hours in the night working on the blog that I know I can reach you during your daytime in Malaysia!
Jen 🙂
Jen, I envy you your vision and your passion and what you are doing here at WMB. When I was a young mother the internet was only very very new and largely uncharted (wow that makes me sound like I’m about 105 years old)
To have been able to do something then, like what you are doing here, while I was at home with my children would have been a dream come true. Being a stay at home mum can be extremely isolating and the internet has opened up so many incredible opportunities.
You are providing so much for mothers everywhere and should be so incredibly proud of what you’re creating. Your daughters have an amazing role model
Cheers, Fi 🙂
Hi Fi!
Thank you so much. Nothing to envy — you’re so in the middle of all of this with us! I couldn’t do it on my own. Each of the WMB writers brings something amazingly personal to the blog that one person just cannot do. You are all making my motherhood journey and the journey of so many other mothers around the world extra special. 🙂
I was so happy the day you joined us from Australia! And, it has been great to share your “becoming a nani” adventure on the blog! You are an inspiration for young mothers because look at all you’ve accomplished, too. You never give up!
Jen 🙂
A big 🙂
Thanks, Susie! Right back at you in Israel!
Jen 🙂
Wow, it’s like a Burden-love-fest! I am so amazed and impressed by all that you’re able to accomplish and the family support you get along the way. How you and your husband seem to maintain such a strong bond even though you each also have deep relationships with your computers. How you make so much time for your kids and family AS WELL as your extended family of World Moms. How you’re able to keep taking on new ideas, projects and campaigns in the name of social good. I can’t do all that you do but sure am glad I know someone who is. Thanks for your sunny, positive outlook on the world, parenting and writing.
Kyla,
I don’t know what I would have done without YOUR help when I had my baby only months after World Moms Blog launched. Without our editing team, there is no way we could be accomplishing what we are accomplishing! I am so thankful for you!
“Deep relationships with your computers” — that made me laugh!
I’m glad I found you, Kyla! 🙂
Jen 🙂
Jen! Absolutely love getting this glimpse into who you are!
As expected- totally inspiring! XO
Awww…thanks so much, Galit. And thank you for bringing your thought provoking topics to the blog as a former teacher! 🙂
We’re happy to have you on board!
Jen 🙂
So glad that you did the interview!
Also?
Glad that you created this space for us all to come together.
Adding to the love fest! So honored to be part of your blog, and I love reading your interview. I hope we can meet in person sooner rather than later!
Hi Jen! So good to learn more about you. I agree totally about that ‘should’ word – it’s one of the few words I refuse to use (unless in emergencies!!). It’s great to be part of World Moms, thanks so much for starting it. 🙂
Thanks, Karyn. You have become a big part of our community with all of your support for the writers in your comments. Thank you for that! 🙂 (And, ofcourse, for your posts that make us think!) I’m glad that you are part of WMB!
Jen 🙂
It’s so nice to discover and read more about your Jennifer. Your words are trully an inspiration for all women around the world and give them the chance to meet in a place where all are welcome to share their experiences and lives.
Jennifer, I respect you more and more every day. You are amazing!